Student walkouts have continued across the metro almost daily since the start of the month, but for the first time, students are facing punishment for leaving campus.
Mustang Public Schools issued in-school suspension for students who participated in a walkout and didn’t return to school.
In a message to families, the district said it did not sponsor, approve, organize, or encourage any student protest.
The district also stated that it did not facilitate, promote, or excuse student absences related to the activity.
Freshman Harlow Henry said she saw students leaving campus. “I did see them walking out, and it was just like crowds walking out of the school,” Henry said.
Mustang High School has more than 3,700 students, making it one of the largest high schools in the state.
Asked whether students were more motivated by skipping school or speaking out, Henry said, “I don’t know. Kinda both, but probably more they want to speak their mind.”
The district said that after learning about an online flyer advertising a planned student-led event, leadership informed families that students were expected to stay on campus and attend class.
Students who left were assigned in-school suspension for unexcused absences.
In-school suspension removes students from regular classes but keeps them on campus in a supervised, isolated room where they can work on class assignments.
Kelly Harris, whose son is a sophomore at Mustang High School, questioned the district’s response. “I just have to ask myself what message are we sending to the kids and to the adults because for the kids, that is their First Amendment right,” Harris said.
Harris said her child did not participate in the walkout. “My own child did not participate, but we talked about it and said there are other ways we can do things to show how we were feeling,” she said.
The district said, “No student was disciplined for the content of their speech or viewpoint.”
Gov. Kevin Stitt applauded Superintendent Charles Bradley’s decision to suspend the 122 students who walked out of class to protest.
In a social media post addressed to young Oklahomans, Stitt wrote: “Free speech is sacred, but truancy robs your future. Stay in school, build skills, and make your voice heard responsibly.”
Harris said students should be able to express themselves while also balancing school expectations. “There has to be a dichotomy here where we’re allowing kids to try out their freedom of expression, and to say, ‘This is not the world I want to grow up in,’” she said.
Mustang Public Schools stated that safety remains its top priority and that its decisions were made with this responsibility in mind.
